September 2019 #13

[Stroan]

Oops, we filled up the last thread. Hope everyone finds this one.

While the weather is lovely, I'm praying this is the last gasp of summer. I'm so done with heat. Done with being a sweaty lump. Done with virtually nothing fitting me any more. Hopefully it'll cool down soon. But not too much. I hate the cold. 🤣

@Stroan Just showing what exactly he thinks of weighing scales. Good lad.

Agreed with puglover. You're all doing superb with your new babies. I can only hope to be doing half as well.

stroan my boy just peed and pooped on the MW doing his weighing and heel prick test. Serves her right for stabbing him in the foot! All good with weight here, both have gained a little bit since leaving hospital.
It's good to know too that breastfed babies mostly always take alot longer to gain weight back and will gain back at a slower pace.

I've come to the realisation today that I'm not sure breastfeeding will work for us. Babies are very lazy at night and pretty much refuse to feed for any decent amount of time. Certainly nothing that will build a supply. I can and have expressed, but again will need to be pumping round the clock to get anywhere near what they need, something which I'm not really prepared to do when it's already so tiring. I feel like I've tried my best and will continue to try a bit more but seeing as they are mostly having formula anyway, its probably going to end up going that route.

Boodles if I'm totally honest, I was pumping 3 hourly for a long time before before my supply matched my baby's. Motherhood/parenthood is about so much more than breastfeeding and the bottom line is, if BFing isn't going to work for your whole family, it's not the right thing. I had the time and support to suffer the insane sleeplessness etc that came with feeding and pumping with DS1 but I will not be able to to it again this time around - I have a toddler to care for too this time! If DS2 requires the same level of pumping, it's a combi fed baby for me!

Exactly SJP3 I can't and don't want to pump 3 hourly, when they need feeding 3 hourly anyway, plus my 2.5yo boy to look after, I'd never get any rest! I feel in a good head space today that I've at least tried and if that's how it's going then that's ok.

I desperately want to give advice on the BF situation some of you are in but think it's impossible over the internet as you will never get the full story.
Listen to your body and your babies reaction. I would say it wouldn't do any harm to try to forget the science bit and all the other things people are telling for a minute and just concentrate on the physical act of doing and your babies reaction to that. What is instinct telling you? What is your baby suggesting they need? I had flat nipples first time and had to twist my nipple and squeeze it in. It wasn't what I was being told to do, quite the opposite, but it felt right and I was right as I went.on to feed for 2 years. If you want to do it, there are always ways.
Have done 0 of my planned tasks yet today. DH has blitzed the front garden beautifully and is at the park with dc. I feel so lazy but only a tiny bit guilty. Must press on

Boodles If having one EBF baby is hard i cannot imagine how hard it would be with twins! And a toddler!

I have loads of motivation to do stuff today but keep reminding myself it is not a good day to have a baby!

Eek @BridgetJonesDaiquiri Tuesday! Definitely better out than in if that's what's needed. Exciting times! I hope you are not too itchy??

@boodles101 you just need to do what you need to do- only you can weigh up what is right in your exact circumstances! And however it goes it will be fine. They are still very tiny, so latching may well get easier... or not.
I think @challengeyourreality has hit it on the nose - listen to your body, listen to your babies, and don't put yourself under pressure to "achieve". (Easier said than done!).
There's a lot to be said for the convenience of breastfeeding if it's easy- no prep or equipment needed. But not easy to delegate!

I'm wiped out by the heat! And grumpy because I had dodgy blood sugars this morning for no discernible reason, so metaformin could well be coming my way. I already rattle (although I know I'm on a lot less than some of you!) - I'm on calcium and aspirin to prevent blood pressure issues, pregnancy vits, and iron (which has so many rules re when to take it that it is doing my head in!!).

Omg dusty i feel you on the iron taking rules. I am just taking them three times a day now and hoping for the best

We've avoided hospital, he's put on 5oz overnight so now only 8.3% loss. If it's less than 8% on Monday we'll be discharged to the HV.

@boodles101 you have already given them so much goodness. I only have one baby but can't commit to the pumping regime for longer than DH is off. If we haven't cracked EBF by then we'll move to combi and then FF.

Was confused there as missed the new thread and seem to have been taken off the list somehow and wasn't tagged.

Nice to see more baby pics this morning!

@decaf morning sickness back here too! And severe inertia. Wish my OH was back in the country but can’t tell him that 😩

Woot woot re the 5oz @Stroan ! That's great!
Oh no @Moraxella , when is he back? He's cutting it fine if I remember right?

Very glad to read some of the BF talk today as I am also feeling a bit down. I expressed so much when Max was in the NICU , which was then fed to him by tube and then by bottle until I was allowed to try him on the breast.

My aim (during pregnancy) was to FF, but after doing the hard work to hand express colostrum etc I decided I want to BF in the day and bottle feed breast milk at night. Max is taking the bottle really well but seems to be struggling with his latch on the breast and gets frustrated. I'm aiming to persevere for another few days but just to echo it is bloody frustrating and @Horehound you shouldn't feel silly at all!!

@happydays00 that's quite hard to sustain- as it's the night time feeding which most easily gets your supply up. More power to you making it so far brilliant lady!

@DustyDoorframes I don't know if supply is the problem though? I'm managing to express 120/170ml in about 20 - 30 minutes. Do you think it could still be a supply issue? I'm concerned it's a nipple / teat problem... I've tried nipple shields and can't really decide if it makes it better or worse.

Having never BF my DD this is totally new territory and I couldn't imagine turning into this crazy person.

@happydays00 sounds like a latch problem to me. Has it been checked? Could he have a tongue tie? 120-170ml is a really good amount to be pumping in 20 mins - sounds like your supply is just fine.

It can sometimes be tricky getting used to the different kinds of suck and latch needed for boobs and bottles- and tongue tie (which is v common indeed!) certainly won't help. Has your midwife had a look? If she's not very helpful try your local NCT or la leche league branches, if you have one.
Supply is ongoing- you sound like you've got plenty just now, that's brilliant! The baby's first job is to regulate that supply (some of us come in with too much milk and half drown them...), and that's a two way street between your boobs and the baby sucking away. Obvs no good if it's painful though!! That needs sorting first and foremost!

@happydays00 a bf specialist told us that a baby who takes a bottle before 4 weeks old will be very hard to get to BF because a bottle is easier for them and they get used to it and get lazy. Haven’t had any babies yet though so can’t comment on it.

happydays that's a great amount. what pump are you using? I'm wondering whether to order a hospital grade double pump to attempt to build my supply or whether the cost is a waste if I end up just FF anyway. Seriously feel conflicted with my decision and have changed my mind about 10 times today!

I have a question about outfits after birth - I completely forgot to consider what I will wear in the first few weeks - not least because my maternity outfits are not BF friendly and my pre pregnancy clothes aren't really either anymore. I was thinking maybe a playsuit with a button front fastening? What are others planning?

I’m totally feeling disheartened with the whole breast feeding thing. Little one does have a tongue tie and it hurts like a SOB when he latches on. I’ve tried all the tricks but it’s getting worse not better.

I’m also terrified about hurting him as when he latched the initial pain is so bad i tense all over 😢. Don’t know quite what to do.

@challengeyourreality

Leggings or black jogging bottoms with a variety of loose vest tops. Not remotely fashionable but comfy and easy! Once I know if BFing is going to work, I'll figure out a more permanent outfit.

As experienced in pregnancy / birth / parenting as i am i have little clue about BF i am afraid!

38+2. So tired. Managed a 20 min nap and woke up a right sweaty mess. Yuck. Roll on 8pm.

@boodles101 you can hire a hospital grade pump which might make more sense? Or you might get a loan if one of you ask- given you are working on breastfeeding twins!
@challengeyourreality play suits might be a bit faffy for the loo? Leggings and a shirt with buttons/top you can pull up or down might be easier (or both for out- pull T-shirt up and vest down - tummy covered, boobs covered!)
@Karigan195 You need to get onto your midwife ASAP, or your hospital's breastfeeding people- the tongue tie can be sorted, and the sooner the better. Some hospitals are great, some need you to push and insist. You being ripped to shreds is not doing anyone any good!